Page:The History of the Church & Manor of Wigan part 2.djvu/203

y^e several curats to doe theire dutyes upon y* Place : for I am informed, and y^t very credibly, y^t divers of y^e Chappells are lett runne to mine, and putt to base and unworthy uses, and y* People altogether left destitute of all Xpian instruction, and y^e very Prayers of ye Church seldome or never read unto y^em. Upon these consideracons I desire you to sequester soe much of y^e profitts into safe hands as may pay y^e severall Curats respectively, according to such moderate proportions as you in your wisdome shall thinke their persons and services may deserve. When this is done (of which I desire you to make no delay) I shall then advise w^th myselfe and counsell what course I shall hod [hold ?] w^th my Tenant S^r Ralph Ashton,^[1] whose cariage towards y^e Church I conceive is noe way answerable to y^t great profitt w^ch he hath reaped by it these many yeares. For any other particuler concerning y^t Rectory, or other busynesse of mine in those parts, I referre you to this bearer, whome you may safely trust w^th those busynesses y^t conceme me. Soe att this time, haveing not farther to trouble you, I leave you to y^e Grace of God and rest

your Lord^ps very loving Freinde and Brother

W. Cant.

Croydon Julii 28^th, 1635.

If there be any Chappells w^thin this p'cinct w^ch ly not upon me to repaire I desire your Lord^p not to burden me w^th y^em, but for those y^t belong to me your Lord^p may doe what you thinke fitt"^[2]

In this letter were enclosed the King's letters in the form following:

"Charles R.

Right Reverend ffather in God and Right trustie and welbeloved, wee greete you well. Whereas wee are given to understand that the Church or Rectory of Whaley in o^r countie of Lancaster, and divers Chappells thereunto belonging, in yo^r dioces are of large extent, and verie populous, and that the ministers or curates of the same want sufficient meanes and provision; and that in some of those Chappells divine service and y^e

1. Sir Ralph Assheton of Whalley Abbey and Great Lever (see page 331, note). He was buried at Whalley 18th October, 1644, and was succeeded by his son Sir Ralph as second baronet.
2. Original letters inter Family Evidences.